Pete Rose, who died on Monday at the age of 83, was known to many as the all-time hits leader who later gambled on baseball as the manager of the Reds.
But Yankees manager Aaron Boone got to know him more personally, as Rose played with Boone’s father, Bob, from 1979-81, which included a World Series championship in 1980.
“A sad day for baseball, of course, but for me personally because even going back to my childhood, he was an important figure for my family,” Boone said.
Boone played in the minors and majors with Pete Rose Jr. and stayed close with him over the years, so the two were texting on Monday night.
Boone had also stayed in touch with Rose, including catching up with him when the Yankees played in Cincinnati last year.
After one of the games, there was a signed baseball from Rose on Boone’s desk.
The Yankees were off on Monday, allowing Boone the chance to watch his former bench coach manage the Mets into the playoffs.
Boone was thrilled for Carlos Mendoza and his Mets, who won an epic Game 161 against the Braves to punch their ticket into the postseason.
“Pretty fired up for Carlos,” said Boone, who spoke to Mendoza when the Mets were in Milwaukee over the weekend and texted with him again after Monday’s clincher. “He’s obviously done an awesome job with them. They’ve had a really strong season after a really difficult start to the season. So to be able to get in, I know he was very excited.”
The Mets kept the momentum going by defeating the Brewers 8-4 in Game 1 of their wild-card series in Milwaukee on Tuesday for Mendoza’s first postseason victory as a manager.
John Sterling on Tuesday was named one of 10 finalists for the Ford C. Frick Award, the Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual honor for excellence in baseball broadcasting.
The longtime radio voice of the Yankees retired earlier this season after 36 years behind the microphone, but has returned to call the playoffs.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 11 at the winter meetings.
